Fragrant Mountain Foxglove Plant Care

Ourisia fragrans Phil.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Ourisia fragrans is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to mountainous habitats of the Andes of southern Argentina and Chile. Rodolfo Amando Philippi described O.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Plant Fragrant Mountain Foxglove in partial shade to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Fragrant Mountain Foxglove Native To?

Native range7 countries

What Is the Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove (Ourisia fragrans) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Ourisia genus. Fragrant Mountain Foxglove is native to mountainous habitats of the Andes of southern Argentina and Chile.

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Fragrant Mountain Foxglove produces small, tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Water a young or newly planted Fragrant Mountain Foxglove every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 4–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Fragrant Mountain Foxglove Need?

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–1,000 lux. Avoid placing Fragrant Mountain Foxglove in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full shade

100–1,000 lux

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fragrant Mountain Foxglove Prefer?

Ourisia fragrans tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Fragrant Mountain Foxglove prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Fragrant Mountain Foxglove to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Feed Fragrant Mountain Foxglove every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Prune Fragrant Mountain Foxglove while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove in Winter?

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tufted foxglove plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Fragrant Mountain Foxglove Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Fragrant Mountain Foxglove, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Fragrant Mountain Foxglove?

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Fragrant Mountain Foxglove Need?

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Fragrant Mountain Foxglove is native to mountainous habitats of the Andes of southern Argentina and Chile. In cooler regions, grow Fragrant Mountain Foxglove as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Ourisia genus — compare its care with other Ourisia species on PlantoScan.

Ourisia is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.

Fragrant Mountain Foxglove copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.

More Ourisia Species

Other Ourisia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Ourisia fragrans Phil., family Plantaginaceae (first published in Linnaea 33: 211 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fragrant Mountain Foxglove, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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